Olynyk happy to stay where he’s wanted
It all made so much sense that Kelly Olynyk wasn’t going to waste any time or sweat any of the details.
Such a perfect dovetail — playing for the team he watched before even starting public school, filling a perfect role on a roster, getting his summer cleared to fully concentrate on a chance to make history — all pointed to one logical decision: Extend his contract with the Raptors, and extend it post haste.
“It’s nice to replant some roots, and (I) really enjoy being home and helping this franchise … to get back where it’s been,” Olynyk said Tuesday, with the ink barely dry on a two-year contract extension worth more than $26 million (U.S.).
The 32-year-old Olynyk was born in Toronto and spent most of his youth here before moving to Kamloops. His roots are deep and, when the Raptors obtained him in a February trade fully expecting to have him for multiple seasons, it didn’t take much to convince the 11-year veteran to stick around.
“They traded for me, they wanted me here,” Olynyk said. “Just to reciprocate that love and show that I do want to be here, too.
“I’ve wanted to be here since I was four years old … hopefully I’ll be here for the rest of my career.”
Under the NBA’s salary cap rules, the deal was the longest and most expensive contract the Raptors could have given Olynyk. He could have waited to see if he could find a longer deal and more money in the summer. But he wanted to be here, the Raptors want him here, and now his summer focus can be on helping Canada chase an Olympic medal in Paris.
“That was definitely a big part of it as well, getting this out of the way,” said Olynyk, who has been a staple with the national senior team since 2010. “Training camp (for Canada) starts a little bit before (NBA) free agency … so to not have that on your plate and your mind, just be able to play free and easy and … just be able to work out, train, and be present right at the start with no complications is a big factor.”
It’s not like the Raptors rewarded with Olynyk for his career achievements as he heads into his dotage. They see the six-foot-11 centre/forward as an integral part of the rotation as well as a veteran leader in the locker room. He had averaged 9.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists over 20.7 minutes in nine games with the Raptors before Tuesday night.
“I think that he’s the right guy for our team, the right fit, him coming back home,” coach Darko Rajakovic said. “He comes to our team in the right moment to help with our young core and young players developing. I think his leadership is going to just grow as guys are getting to know him more and more.”
Olynyk also knows that he can contribute in myriad ways and looks to return the Raptors to the level of NBA contention he watched them achieve.
“I think we have a lot of talented players on this roster, a lot of young talent that’s trying to find their way and their niche in the league,” he said. “My experience and versatility (can) help accent those pieces and bring them all together.”